As circles and rings in ice-covered lakes and river-bays have become a relatively numerous documented phenomenon - especially in Scandinavian and other northern European and American countries, the latest case of an ice-circle in Russia (exact location and date of discovery unfortunately unknown) just adds another case of this most likely naturally caused circle-phenomenon.

Some believe that the natural explanation for this phenomenon are underwater vortices cause by through-running streams that follow natural outlines of bays and coves just as visible also in the above shown images, as well as differences in the water's temperature that might impact also the forming of the above ice-structure in such a way.

However, some rare examples of geometrically more complex patterns put the above described theory to the test - at least if presented as a simple single vortex-system or as the sole explanation for all patters in ice.

Two images above-This seems also to be the case with another discovery from Russia, published by "englishrussia.com" mid July 2008. Here a central circular ice disc - likely discovered the previous winter or early spring - is surrounded by dozens of smaller different sized ice discs, that are even able to carry a grown up person's weight (see: following image).

So far I have very little information about the above discussed Russian cases but will update this report if more information come in. If one of our readers has more information we would be happy to learn about it.